Fenway Civic Association

Dear Members and Friends:

After a very cold and breezy weekend, you might wonder, is summer coming? Well, yes, it is, (June 21st) but there’s still much to do this spring! Tuesday drop in to see your 8th District Rep., Jay Livingstone; Wednesday get food if you need it; Thursday experience chair yoga; and Saturday is a celebration day! Pride events start at 11 a.m.; Porchfest music kicks off at noon;  Kaji Also Studio presents a musical event early eve. Have a great week!

For this and more, read on: 

THE WEEK AHEAD

1. Tuesday, June 6,10-11 a.m. Community Office Hours with Rep. Jay Livingstone, 8th Suffolk District, at Fenway CDC office (70 Burbank Street)

2. Wednesday, June 7, 3:30-4 p.m. Fenway Cares Food Distribution, Fenway Community Center and Symphony Community Park. Need food? Fenway Cares distributes fresh produce and grains to neighbors in need. For more info visit: https://fenwaycommunitycenter.org/fenway-cares/. Volunteers needed! https://forms.gle/mqo5YoxbmhcL9Ckm8

3. Thursday, June 8, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Park Fitness: Chair Yoga with Michelle – at Symphony Park, 39 Edgerly Road. Repeats weekly on Thursdays through August 31. Participate in a free fitness class offered by a certified instructor. Classes are sponsored by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, and the Boston Public Health Commission.

4. Saturday, June 10, 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. Boston Pride for the People – Festival and Parade 11 a.m. parade kickoff, noon, main stage festival @ Boston Common; noon-6 p.m. Festival for 21+ @ City Hall Plaza, more info here

5. Saturday, June 10, 12 noon-4:30 p.m. Fenway Porchfest

Walk the Fenway and listen to great music across the neighborhood!

To learn more, visit www.fenwayporchfest.org

6. Saturday, June 10, 7 p.m., Kaji Aso Studio 2023 Concert Series presents The Formosa Duo, Kaji Aso Studio – 40 St. Stephen Street

Enjoy free music at the Kaji Aso Studio featuring Chen Ch Wu, pianist, and Sam Ou, cellist. To learn more, visit: https://www.kajiasostudio.com/

SAVE THE DATES

1. Monday, June 12, 6 p.m. Virtual Public Meeting, Fenway Corners

Join neighbors at this public meeting to learn about supplemental filings associated with the WS Fenway Corners Project. To learn more or to submit your comments visit https://www.bostonplans.org/news-calendar/calendar/2023/06/12/fenway-corners-public-meeting

2. Tuesday, June 13, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., Mayor Wu’s Coffee Hour at Symphony Community Park, 39 Edgerly Road

Mayor Wu’s Neighborhood Coffee Hours are a unique opportunity to speak directly with the Mayor and staff from City departments about open space and their neighborhoods. Dunkin’ will be on-site to fuel the local community with freshly brewed iced coffee and assorted treats. In addition, each family in attendance will receive a free flowering plant provided by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, while supplies last. To learn more, visit: https://www.boston.gov/calendar/neighborhood-coffee-hours-fenwaykenmore 

3. Monday, June 19 – Museum of Fine Arts Boston free admission for Massachusetts residents in celebration of Juneteenth. Tickets, provided in partnership with Citizens, will be available on a first come, first served basis. Visitors can check out the newly opened exhibit “Hear Me Now: The Black Potters of Old Edgefield, South Carolina,” celebrating the pottery made by enslaved people in Old Edgefield in the 1800s. The day will also include art-making activities, a Spotlight Talk, and performances.

Juneteenth – click to see 5 events celebrating Juneteenth in Boston

3. Tuesday, June 20, 6-8 p.m. Fenway Civic Association Rose Garden Picnic!, This year’s picnic is dedicated to honor the memory of Edward J. Burke. Memories, flowers, friends, food & music, all you need to close out spring in a perfectly Fen-way. (rain date, June 21st)

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…deals and developments

Deals: At a recent community meeting, Kenzie Bok announced a deal made with the City of Boston and the Red Sox to cap Fenway concerts at 12, with a promise to give the neighborhood some event-free weekends over the summer, here are the 12 announced concert dates: FenwayConcerts. Fenway Park Concerts Neighborhood Committee (“FPCNC”) formed to comment on the impacts of the increasing use of Fenway Park, and the stress it puts on our neighborhood. Some areas of concern which will be monitored: Communications Plans with residents and concert attendees; Security and Life Safety; Traffic and transportation management; Sound management and Monitoring; Neighborhood Trash Cleanup Plan; Parks Mitigation to monitor conditions at the Emerald Necklace and Fenway Victory Gardens as impacted by crowds.

Developments: To see Boston development projects & plans on the BPDA page click here.

DESIGN STAGE

Back Bay Fens Pathways Visit this website to see the recorded series of meetings and get a great overview of the work to come, and the thought processes and discussions that shaped the development of this work.

UNDER REVIEW

Fenway Corners WS Development is proposing a 5.32-acre redevelopment of 13 privately-owned parcels of land on four development blocks around Fenway Park.

165 Park Drive  Development of two 7-story residential buildings behind the Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral at approximately 117,559 SF, to include 115 residential units. Building 1: 48 residential home ownership units, 100 per cent as affordable units. Building 2: 67 market rate apartments. 

409 Huntington Avenue Proposal to redevelop an existing five-story, apartment building into a nineteen-story mixed use residential building comprising up to 157 dwelling units, up to 2,300 square feet of street-level activated retail space along Huntington Avenue, and improvements to the currently underdeveloped pocket park at the corner of the site along Huntington Avenue. 

1400 Boylston Street (Fenway Star Market) approximately 553,000 gross square foot project, including 498,000 sq ft office/research space, 20,000 sq ft retail/restaurant/service/facilities on ground-floor, 30,000 sq ft enclosed loading and back of house, 5,000 sq ft civic/cultural space, and over half an acre of landscaped green space, with underground parking

2 Charlesgate West Approx. 254,000 square feet of mixed-use programming, comprised of 400 residential housing units, 3,000 square feet of ground floor retail, and 75 below grade parking spaces.

APPROVED PLANS

Simmons University Living and Learning Center

The Living and Learning Center will include a student dormitory with over 1,000 student beds, meeting, and social spaces along with office support spaces and a 500-seat dining facility. In addition, an athletics and fitness facility will include a pool, gymnasium, rowing tanks and weight room. The building will also accommodate an existing central electrical plant and emergency generator, which serve the academic buildings on the existing campus. Work will begin on the Living and Learning Center in May 2023 and is slated for completion in September 2026. 

Longwood Place 305 Brookline Avenue  The approximately 5.8 acre site consisting of approximately 1.7 million gross square feet of residential, office/laboratory, retail, restaurant, commercial, community space, and parking. Work slated to begin in 2026, after completion of the Living and Learning Center.

NOTICES

Red Sox… need to know when they’re in town? printable calendar

MBTA – Symphony Station Accessibility Improvements click here for details on this ongoing project

OFFICE HOURS

Senator Will Brownsberger

Zoom Mondays – 4-5:30 p.m.

Schedule an individual 15-minute online Zoom appointment with Senator Brownsberger to discuss a legislative or individual state-related matter on Mondays between 4:00 and 5:30 p.m. Not sure who your legislator is? Visit: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

Representative Jay Livingstone

See flyer attached with office hours and locations.

Maggie Van Scoy, Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services 

You can reach Maggie by email at: margaret.vanscoy@boston.gov

ONGOING

Fenway Cares food distribution. Need food? Fenway Cares distributes fresh produce, grains, and more at Fenway Community Center and Symphony Community Park. For more information, visit: https://fenwaycommunitycenter.org/fenway-cares/. Repeats every-other Wednesday. Volunteers needed! https://forms.gle/mqo5YoxbmhcL9Ckm8

Next dates: Wednesday, June 7 – 3:30 p.m. 

Thursdays – Park Fitness: Chair Yoga with Michelle – 10-11:00 a.m.   Symphony Park, 39 Edgerly Road. Repeats each Thursday until August 31, 2023. Participate in a free fitness class offered by a certified instructor. Classes are sponsored by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, and the Boston Public Health Commission.

See you around!

FenwayCivic Association

Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhood

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Dear Members and Friends,

As we head out of May, June promises a host of Fenway activities – from the Mayor’s Fenway Coffee Hours to the Rose Garden picnic, Porchfest, and more. Get a pen and mark your calendars!:

1. June 1, Free First Thursdays at the Gardner Museum

This June, Revel in Pride at the Gardner – a series of events and programs are part of First Thursday from 3-9 p.m. To reserve a spot and learn more, visit: https://www.gardnermuseum.org/calendar/june-free-first-thursday

2. June 6, Jay Livingstone Office Hours, 70 Burbank Street/Fenway CDC office 10-11 a.m.

3. June 10, Fenway Porchfest, 12 noon – 4:30 p.m.

Walk the Fenway and listen to great music across the neighborhood!

To learn more, visit www.fenwayporchfest.org

4. June 10, Kaji Aso Studio 2023 Concert Series presents The Formosa Duo, 7 p.m., 40 St. Stephen Street

Enjoy free music at the Kaji Aso Studio featuring Chen Ch Wu, pianist, and Sam Ou, cellist

To learn more, visit: https://www.kajiasostudio.com/

5. June 12, Virtual Public Meeting, Fenway Corners, 6 p.m.

Join neighbors at this public meeting to learn about supplemental filings associated with the WS Fenway Corners Project. To learn more or to submit your comments visit https://www.bostonplans.org/news-calendar/calendar/2023/06/12/fenway-corners-public-meeting

6. June 13, Mayor Wu’s Coffee Hour 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., Symphony Community Park, 39 Edgerly RoadMayor Wu’s Neighborhood Coffee Hours are a unique opportunity to speak directly with the Mayor and staff from City departments about open space and their neighborhoods. Dunkin’ will be on-site to fuel the local community with freshly brewed Iced Coffee and assorted treats. In addition, each family in attendance will receive a free flowering plant provided by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, while supplies last. To learn more, visit: 

https://www.boston.gov/calendar/neighborhood-coffee-hours-fenwaykenmore

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Dear Members and Friends,

With longer, warmer days ahead, we hope everyone is taking the time to enjoy the Fenway in spring! A light week for news and events but several items to mark your calendar for ahead:

THE WEEK AHEAD:

1. Tuesday, May 23rd 6 p.m. (virtual): Fenway Corners Community Advisory Committee Meeting The BPDA is hosting a Community Advisory Committee (“CAC”) Meeting for the proposed Fenway Corners project located in the Fenway. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Supplemental Filing and Planned Development Areas (“PDA’s”) and their potential impacts. The meeting will include a presentation followed by questions and comments from the CAC and the public. To read more about the project and to submit your comments, visit: 

https://www.bostonplans.org/projects/development-projects/fenway-corners or write to Michael Sinatra at Michael.Sinatra@boston.gov

2. Wednesday, May 24th, 3:30 p.m., Fenway Community Center and Symphony Park – Fenway Cares food distribution Need food? Fenway Cares distributes fresh produce, grains, and more at Fenway Community Center and Symphony Community Park. Thanks to the generosity of the Massachusetts General Brigham Community Care Van, free blood pressure screenings and COVID-19 boosters and vaccines are offered at Symphony Park in April and May from 2-5 pm on Fenway Cares dates. For more information, visit: https://fenwaycommunitycenter.org/fenway-cares/. Repeats every-other Wednesday. Volunteers needed! https://forms.gle/mqo5YoxbmhcL9Ckm8

3. Thursday, May 25th, 10:00 a.m., Free Chair Yoga at Symphony Park

Join neighbors and friends for gentle yoga at Symphony Park, park of the Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series. In event of rain, class will be held indoors at 100 Norway Street.

4. Friday, May 26th, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., Fenway/Kenmore Coffee Hours with Maggie Van Scoy, 1334 Boylston Street

Join ONS liaison Maggie Van Scoy for coffee and a chance to share your questions and comments.

5. Monday, May 29th, Museum of Fine Arts Memorial Day Open House

Register for this free Open House at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: https://www.mfa.org/event/open-house/memorial-day-open-house?event=3182

JUNE EVENTS: MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

1. Fenway Porchfest, June 10th: https://www.fenwayporchfest.org/

2. Mayor Wu’s Coffee Hour, June 13th, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. , Symphony Community Park, 39 Edgerly Road:https://www.boston.gov/calendar/neighborhood-coffee-hours-fenwaykenmore

3. Fenway Civic Association Rose Garden Picnic!, June 20th, 6-8 p.m. (rain date, June 21st)

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Dear Members and Friends,
A big thank you to Northeastern University for another successful flower share on Saturday! This 50+ year partnership that brings blooms to residents is one of our favorite spring events. Thank you also to Nature Man Mike for leading our annual bird walk on Sunday.

The news is light this week, but take the time to mark your calendars for some events to come, including our Annual Rose Garden Picnic on June 20th!

THE WEEK AHEAD

1. AAPI Heritage Month: May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Join in celebration and participate in events  including opera performances from Asian artists at the Boston Public Library and the Pao Arts Center, the Unity Dinner at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute, and the Asian Street Food and Music Festival at Harvard Square, among others. For more information, visit: https://www.boston.gov/news/asian-pacific-american-heritage-month

2. Jewish American Heritage Month: May is also Jewish American Heritage Month! To learn more, visit the following published by the Boston City Council: https://www.boston.gov/news/jewish-american-heritage-month 

3. Wednesday, May 17th – Community Conversations, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM at Fenway Community Center: Held in partnership with Fenway CDC and Fenway Health, in collaboration with Fenway Cares, join neighbors for a community conversation focused on improving the neighborhood and identifying needed services and programs. To learn more, see the attached flyer.

4. Thursday, May 18  – Park Fitness: Chair Yoga with Michelle – 10:00AM – 11:00AM at Symphony Park, 39 Edgerly Road. Repeats weekly on Thursdays, starting May 11, 2023, until August 31, 2023. Participate in a free fitness class offered by a certified instructor. Classes are sponsored by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, and the Boston Public Health Commission.

SAVE THE DATES

Ongoing, Office Hours with Jay Livingstone: All district 8 constituents are welcome. For hours and details, see the attached flyer.

May 23rd, Fenway Corners Community Advisory Committee Meeting

The BPDA is hosting a Community Advisory Committee (“CAC”) Meeting for the proposed Fenway Corners project located in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Supplemental Filing and Planned Development Areas (“PDA’s”) and their potential impacts. The meeting will include a presentation followed by questions and comments from the CAC and the public. To learn more, visit: https://www.bostonplans.org/news-calendar/calendar/2023/05/23/fenway-corners-community-advisory-committee-meetin

May 23rd, Hotel Buckminster Landmarking Study ReportThe Boston Landmarks Commission has posted a study report on the proposed designation of the Hotel Buckminster as a Landmark under Chapter 772 of the Acts of 1975, as amended. The study report can be accessed here: https://www.boston.gov/news/hotel-buckminster-study-report  and will be discussed at a public hearing on May 23. No vote will be taken at this time. Members of the public are invited to attend this hearing and provide comments. If you have questions concerning the designation process, please email Commission staff at BLC@boston.gov. May 24th,  Fenway Cares food distribution.3:30 p.m, Need food? Fenway Cares distributes fresh produce, grains, and more at Fenway Community Center and Symphony Community Park. Thanks to the generosity of the Massachusetts General Brigham Community Care Van, free blood pressure screenings and COVID-19 boosters and vaccines are offered at Symphony Park in April and May from 2-5 pm on Fenway Cares dates. For more information, visit: https://fenwaycommunitycenter.org/fenway-cares/. Repeats every-other Wednesday. Volunteers needed! https://forms.gle/mqo5YoxbmhcL9Ckm8

June 13, Mayor Wu’s coffee hour at Symphony Community Park

9:30 a.m – 10:30 a.m., weather permitting. 30 Edgerly Road, Fenway/Kenmore. Mayor Wu’s Neighborhood Coffee Hours are a unique opportunity to speak directly with the Mayor and staff from City departments about open space and their neighborhoods. Through these conversations, and a suggestion box at each site, Mayor Wu looks forward to hearing how the City of Boston can improve upon parks, public areas, and City services.

For details click here.

June 20th, Fenway Civic Annual Rose Garden Picnic, 6-8 p.m., outside the Kelleher Rose Garden: All are invited for an evening of food, fun, and music. Details to come!

July 12, Swingin’ in the Fens 2023, at Ramler Park 6:30 p.m. – Featuring Jelani Bauman. Sponsored by Berklee College of Music in partnership with the City of Boston. Rain date Wednesday, July 19.

ONGOING

What’s going on at Fenway Park? View the calendar here.

DEVELOPMENT LINKS – local projects in various stages:

INSTITUTIONAL MASTER PLANS Wentworth Institute of Technology

DESIGN Back Bay Fens Pathways  
REVIEW Fenway Corners , 165 Park Drive , 409 Huntington Avenue, 1400 Boylston Street (Fenway Star Market), 2 Charlesgate West

APPROVED  Longwood Place 305 Brookline Avenue 

See you around!

FenwayCivic Association

Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhood

Read Full Post »

Dear Members and Friends:

With great pride, we honor the memory of Edward James Burke, who passed away on April 30, 2023. Ed was a driving force of the Fenway Civic Association, a passionate advocate who worked tirelessly to improve the safety, beauty and vibrancy of our neighborhood. Ed’s genuine love of community was evident to all who knew him; his willingness to find solutions and do the hard work of consensus building benefited us in so many ways. We are proud to celebrate his legacy and will not forget our friend, neighbor and champion for all things Fenway. Rest in Peace, dear friend. 

*** 

EDWARD JAMES BURKE, of Boston’s Fenway, formerly of Mission Hill, passed away on April 30. Raised by his mother, aunts, and uncles, in the closeness of the Irish Catholic Mission Hill neighborhood, he attended Mission Grammar, and Mission High while supporting his family with various after school jobs, opening up all the neighborhoods of Boston to him. Following three years of the Army in Germany, from age 19, he returned to Boston, helping to set up the first data processing computer system for the City. He was named Assistant Clerk of the Boston Municipal Court in 1966, later becoming a Harvard Medical School animal research technician, and a Clinical Lab Technician at the Boston V.A. Medical Center. Living in the Fenway neighborhood in 1985, Ed resurrected the Fenway Civic Association to help fix the safety and beauty of the Fenway’s neighborhood, and especially its surrounding Back Bay Fens park that had become sorely neglected. Ed’s effectiveness and passion as a civic activist became realized when he assumed Office of Neighborhood Services (ONS) leadership under newly elected Mayor Raymond Flynn, who trusted him for his love for the City, and understanding of residents’ concerns. While advancing the Mayor’s progress in a growing Boston, Ed worked under BRA director, Stephen Coyle. Ed was highly respected at City Hall, and in the neighborhoods under his oversight. He loved his job, walking each morning to City Hall, working all day, and going to meetings at night with his beeper and constantly on call. “I worked really hard, but didn’t mind doing it because you knew you were making a difference.” He would say. He was bolstered by the entrance of Fredericka Veikley, his new love, and later wife, into his life in 1986. They easily became dedicated lifelong partners.

In 1995, newly elected Mayor Menino revamped the ONS and purged the liaisons who had gained expertise and connections that complicated the new Mayor’s idea of how to run the City. Back to the “other side,” Ed resumed his neighborhood advocacy, keeping many of his City Hall connections, and training new activists in the Fenway Civic Association. He was proud of them and their commitment of personal time, energy, and lost sleep for the betterment of the Fenway and the City. To those who said, ”you can’t fight City Hall,” Ed would say, ”Yes you can, the City would fall apart without all the activists.”

Ed brought new life to the City’s Back Bay Fens parks, and sought for decades the restoration of its Muddy River, now coming to fruition. Together, he and Freddie galvanized forces to create Ramler Park in 2004, an amazing feat uniting the Ramler family donors with the City of Boston to create a perpetually protected gem in the heart of the Fenway. Ed strongly believed that parks support people, and people must support parks. If you wish to make a gift in Ed’s honor, please consider helping sustain the park that sustains you, by contributing to friendsoframlerpark.org.

***

Spring unfolds in the Fenway – things are looking good thanks to recent neighborhood clean ups and the generosity of volunteers. All around us, classes are winding down, graduation season is here, as well as the ‘boys of summer’ and more summer concerts at Fenway Park. Developments abound, get up to speed through links below. Outdoor events are being announced for these warmer months; so much more to come. 

For this and more, read on: 

THE WEEK AHEAD

1. Sunday, May 7 – 2023 Cultural afternoon: Haiku Winners Announcement and Japanese Calligraphy Demonstration – 3:00- 5:00 p.m. at Kaji Aso Studio 40 St Stephen St, Boston, MA 02115, or join the livestream on facebook click here. Free and open to the public. See flyer below.

2. Tuesday, May 9 – Wentworth Institute of Technology 2023-2033 Institutional Master Plan Public Meeting, 6-8 p.m. virtual  The BPDA is hosting a virtual Public Meeting meeting for the proposed 2023-2033 Institutional Master Plan (“IMP”)  for Wentworth Institute of Technology, located in the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston. The purpose of the meeting is to provide an overview of the IMP and discuss the potential impacts and mitigation for the IMP. The meeting will include a presentation followed by questions and comments from the Public. To Participate, please register for the meeting using the following Zoom link:

bit.ly/3UhuaQ2

3. Wednesday, May 10  – Fenway Cares food distribution. 3:30 p.m, Need food? Fenway Cares distributes fresh produce, grains, and more at Fenway Community Center and Symphony Community Park. Thanks to the generosity of the Massachusetts General Brigham Community Care Van, free blood pressure screenings and COVID-19 boosters and vaccines are offered at Symphony Park in April and May from 2-5 pm on Fenway Cares dates. For more information, visit: https://fenwaycommunitycenter.org/fenway-cares/. Repeats every-other Wednesday. Volunteers needed! https://forms.gle/mqo5YoxbmhcL9Ckm8

4. Wednesday, May 10  – ACNA Annual Meeting, 7 p.m. at Ruggles Baptist Church, 874 Beacon Street. You are cordially invited to the annual meeting of the Audubon Circle Neighborhood Association (ACNA), which will be a live ‘in person’ event. Please visit www.auduboncircle.org for further details.  Or send queries to: contact@auduboncircle.org. (flyer attached)

5. Thursday, May 11  – Park Fitness: Chair Yoga with Michelle –  10:00AM – 11:00AM at Symphony Park, 39 Edgerly Road. Repeats weekly on Thursdays, starting May 11, 2023, until August 31, 2023. Participate in a free fitness class offered by a certified instructor. Classes are sponsored by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, and the Boston Public Health Commission.

6. Saturday, May 13 – Annual Flower Share with FCA Members

We are thrilled to continue our longstanding partnership with Northeastern University. Current FCA members can sign up by April 24th: https://forms.gle/xrNZ6pYQkJ99RKoC9 

Flower Share Map with locations and times here

East Fenway: Fenway Center (68 St. Stephen Street) parking lot, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

West Fenway: Exterior of Fenway Victory Gardens (1200 Boylston Street), 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.

7. Sunday, May 14 – Annual Fenway Guided Bird Walk – with Nature Man Mike  -7:30 am. Meet at Meet at the Japanese Bell outside the Kelleher Rose Garden (by the footbridge across from the Museum of Fine Arts) Spend a few hours delighting in the array of spring birds gracing the Fenway. For all levels! Bring binocs for best view. Led by: Michael Bryant, aka Nature Man Mike, a professional photographer, instructor, nature lover, and host of bird walks, international bird photography tours and workshops. Through the world of birding, he’s worked with Franklin Park Coalition, Brookline Bird Club, Urban Nature Walk, Mass Audubon and more. www.NatureManMike.com www.instagram.com/naturemanmike 

www.facebook.com/naturemanmike (postcard below)

NOTICES

SUMMER IN BOSTON – online guide from the City of Boston 

(click here to visit the website)  Whether you’re looking to find a place to cool down — or a cool spot to visit — this guide has it covered. 

SAVE THE DATES

May 23rd, Hotel Buckminster Landmarking Study Report

The Boston Landmarks Commission has posted a study report on the proposed designation of the Hotel Buckminster as a Landmark under Chapter 772 of the Acts of 1975, as amended. The study report can be accessed here: https://www.boston.gov/news/hotel-buckminster-study-report  The study report will be discussed at a public hearing on May 23. No vote will be taken at this time. Members of the public are invited to attend this hearing and provide comments. If you have questions concerning the designation process, please email Commission staff at BLC@boston.gov. 

June 13, Mayor Wu’s coffee hour at Symphony Community Park

9:30 a.m – 10:30 a.m., weather permitting. 30 Edgerly Road, Fenway/Kenmore. Mayor Wu’s Neighborhood Coffee Hours are a unique opportunity to speak directly with the Mayor and staff from City departments about open space and their neighborhoods. Through these conversations, and a suggestion box at each site, Mayor Wu looks forward to hearing how the City of Boston can improve upon parks, public areas, and City services.

For details click here.

July 12, Swingin’ in the Fens 2023, at Ramler Park 6:30 p.m. – Featuring Jelani Bauman. Sponsored by Berklee College of Music in partnership with the City of Boston. Rain date Wednesday, July 19.

ONGOING

What’s going on at Fenway Park? View the calendar here.

DEVELOPMENT LINKS – local projects in various stages:

INSTITUTIONAL MASTER PLANS Wentworth Institute of Technology

DESIGN Back Bay Fens Pathways  

REVIEW Fenway Corners , 165 Park Drive , 409 Huntington Avenue, 1400 Boylston Street (Fenway Star Market), 2 Charlesgate West

APPROVED  Longwood Place 305 Brookline Avenue 

See you around!

FenwayCivic Association

Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhoodDear Members and Friends:

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Dear Members and Friends:

This week, a little quieter, after all the action of last week! 

Congratulations to Kenzie Bok, City Councilor District 8, who will be the next administrator of the Boston Housing Authority, the largest public housing agency in New England. We are grateful for all the work Kenzie has done in the Fenway and Mission Hill, and give a heartfelt thank-you; we look forward to working with Kenzie on housing issues.

If you’ve missed any of the recent meetings, see below for links on ongoing projects as well as upcoming meetings. 

For this and more, read on: 

THE WEEK AHEAD

1. Tuesday, May 2 – Wentworth 500 Huntington Ave Meeting – The BPDA is hosting a Public Meeting for the 500 Huntington Avenue project located in Mission Hill. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Project Notification Form and Planned Development Area Amendment. The meeting will include a presentation followed by Q&A and comments from the general public.

The Proposed Project involves (a) demolishing an existing parking lot, three small buildings, and an artificial turf athletic field and (b) constructing two new mixed-use buildings comprising approximately 640,000 square feet of life science, office, cultural, and retail/commercial uses along with below grade parking. How to Participate Regsiter in advance: bit.ly/3YSLNWX 

SAVE THE DATES

1. Tuesday, May 9 – Wentworth Institute of Technology 2023-2033 Institutional Master Plan Public Meeting, 6-8 p.m. virtual  The BPDA is hosting a virtual Public Meeting meeting for the proposed 2023-2033 Institutional Master Plan (“IMP”)  for Wentworth Institute of Technology, located in the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston. The purpose of the meeting is to provide an overview of the IMP and discuss the potential impacts and mitigation for the IMP. The meeting will include a presentation followed by questions and comments from the Public. To Participate, please register for the meeting using the following Zoom link:

bit.ly/3UhuaQ2

2. Wednesday, May 10  – ACNA Annual Meeting, 7 p.m. at Ruggles Baptist Church, 874 Beacon Street. You are cordially invited to the annual meeting of the Audubon Circle Neighborhood Association (ACNA), which will be a live ‘in person’ event. Please visit www.auduboncircle.org for further details.  Or send queries to: contact@auduboncircle.org. (flyer attached)

3. Saturday, May 13 – Annual Flower Share with FCA Members

We are thrilled to continue our longstanding partnership with Northeastern University. Current FCA members can sign up by April 24th: https://forms.gle/xrNZ6pYQkJ99RKoC9 

Flower Share Map with locations and times here

East Fenway: Fenway Center (68 St. Stephen Street) parking lot, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

West Fenway: Exterior of Fenway Victory Gardens (1200 Boylston Street), 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.

4. Sunday, May 14 – Annual Fenway Guided Bird Walk – with Nature Man Mike  -7:30 am. Meet at Meet at the Japanese Bell outside the Kelleher Rose Garden (by the footbridge across from the Museum of Fine Arts) Spend a few hours delighting in the array of spring birds gracing the Fenway. For all levels! Bring binocs for best view. Led by: Michael Bryant, aka Nature Man Mike, a professional photographer, instructor, nature lover, and host of bird walks, international bird photography tours and workshops. Through the world of birding, he’s worked with Franklin Park Coalition, Brookline Bird Club, Urban Nature Walk, Mass Audubon and more. www.NatureManMike.com www.instagram.com/naturemanmike 

www.facebook.com/naturemanmike (postcard below)

DEVELOPMENT LINKS – local projects in various stages:

INSTITUTIONAL MASTER PLANS

Wentworth Institute of Technology

DESIGN

Back Bay Fens Pathways  

REVIEW

Fenway Corners 

165 Park Drive 

409 Huntington Avenue

1400 Boylston Street (Fenway Star Market) 

2 Charlesgate West

APPROVED

Longwood Place 305 Brookline Avenue 

NOTICES

Red Sox… need to know when they’re in town? printable calendar

ELECTED OFFICIALS – OFFICE HOURS

Senator Will Brownsberger

Zoom Mondays – 4-5:30 p.m.

Schedule an individual 15-minute online Zoom appointment with Senator Brownsberger to discuss a legislative or individual state-related matter on Mondays between 4:00 and 5:30 p.m. Not sure who your legislator is? Visit: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

Maggie Van Scoy, Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services 

You can reach Maggie by email at: margaret.vanscoy@boston.gov

ONGOING

Free First Thursdays – Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum 3-9 p.m.

Thursday May 4

registration required – RESERVE your free ticket online

https://www.gardnermuseum.org/experience/thursday-nights

Fenway Cares food distribution. Need food? Fenway Cares distributes fresh produce, grains, and more at Fenway Community Center and Symphony Community Park. Thanks to the generosity of the Massachusetts General Brigham Community Care Van, free blood pressure screenings and COVID-19 boosters and vaccines are offered at Symphony Park in April and May from 2-5 pm on Fenway Cares dates. For more information, visit: https://fenwaycommunitycenter.org/fenway-cares/. Repeats every-other Wednesday. Volunteers needed! https://forms.gle/mqo5YoxbmhcL9Ckm8

Next date: Wednesday, May 10 – 3:30 p.m. 

See you around!

FenwayCivic Association

Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhoodDear Members and Friends:

Read Full Post »

Dear Members and Friends:

Members make great friends and friends are great members. Come on! Let’s get this party started. (Membership form attached.)

The flower share is coming… please register by today’s deadline. We’re excited. 

This is the week to meet and greet; it seems everyone is having a meeting – so choose your pleasure and bring a friend, or make a new one. Great options to catch up on current and future projects. Or just get out and socialize. Red Sox, Wentworth, Muddy River Restoration, Emerald Necklace Conservancy, Fenway Community Development Corp., yes, we have a lot going on!!!

Now that you’re feeling neighborly, want to stretch a bit? Save the date to attend the Audubon Circle Neighborhood Association [ACNA] Annual Meeting on May 10th,; see what they’re up to, and how we intersect. For early birds… we’re switching it up a bit with a new Bird Walk leader, Nature Man Mike, save the date – Sunday May 14th.

For this and more, read on: 

THE WEEK AHEAD

1. Monday, April 24 Flower Share Sign-up Deadline, for Members. Need to renew your FCA membership? Info attached. below. Today’s the day for reserving your fabulous flower tray. Flower Share pickup date is May 13. Current and prospective FCA members can sign up by April 24th: https://forms.gle/xrNZ6pYQkJ99RKoC9 

2. Tuesday, April 25 -6 p.m. Red Sox Neighborhood Meeting at 125 Overlook Street. First time in this location – please enter at 14 Lansdowne Street. Doors open at 6 p.m., program begins at 6:15 p.m. Agenda includes: the season ahead, the recent agreement made between the Boston Red Sox and the City of Boston regarding Fenway Park concerts, and more. Who made the agreement? How many concerts? What else is happening… here’s the forum to ask and get answers. As always, light snacks and refreshments will be served.

3. Tuesday, April 25 – 6 – 8 p.m, Wentworth IAG meeting

The BPDA is hosting an Impact Advisory Group (IAG) Meeting for the 500 Huntington Avenue project located in Mission Hill. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Project Notification Form and Planned Development Area Amendment. The meeting will include a presentation followed by Q&A and comments from the general public. To register, visit: 

bit.ly/3ToN1YR

4. Wednesday, April 26 3:30 p.m. / Care Van at Symphony Park 2- 5 pm

& Fenway Cares food distribution. 3:30 pm. 2 locations: Need food? Fenway Cares distributes fresh produce, grains, and more at Fenway Community Center and Symphony Community Park. Thanks to the generosity of the Massachusetts General Brigham Community Care Van, free blood pressure screenings and COVID-19 boosters and vaccines are offered at Symphony Park in April and May from 2-5 pm on Fenway Cares dates. For more information, visit: https://fenwaycommunitycenter.org/fenway-cares/. Repeats every-other Wednesday. Volunteers needed! https://forms.gle/mqo5YoxbmhcL9Ckm8

5. Wednesday April 26 – 6 – 8:30 p.m. Muddy River MMOC 2023 Public Meeting, at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. (in-person) The Muddy River Restoration Project Maintenance and Management Oversight Committee (the MMOC) is a shining example of citizen advocacy in Brookline and Boston. Find out about the project status and learn about the Muddy! You are invited to register to attend the in-person meeting here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-muddy-river-restoration-project-2023-annual-meeting-tickets-527343778437

6. Thursday, April 27 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm  Demystifying the Muddy: 2023 Annual Meeting of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy (virtual)

On Thursday, April 27, join the Emerald Necklace Conservancy for our 2023 Annual Meeting, all about the Muddy River—the central waterway of the Emerald Necklace linear park system—and the year of achievements that your support made possible! https://www.emeraldnecklace.org/events/annualmeeting/

7. Thursday, April 27 FCDC Annual meeting, 5:45-8:00 p.m., St Cecilia’s Church, 30 St. Cecilia Street

Celebrate Fenway CDC’s 50th Anniversary with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, FCDC members, elected officials, and community partners. Register at Fenway CDC 50th Annual Meeting Tickets, Thu, Apr 27, 2023 at 5:45 PM | Eventbrite

SAVE THE DATES

1. Wednesday, May 1  – ACNA Annual Meeting, 7 p.m. at Ruggles Baptist Church, 874 Beacon Street. You are cordially invited to the annual meeting of the Audubon Circle Neighborhood Association (ACNA), which will be a live ‘in person’ event. Please visit www.auduboncircle.org for further details.  Or send queries to: contact@auduboncircle.org. (flyer attached)

2. Tuesday, May 2 – Wentworth 500 Huntington Ave Meeting – The BPDA is hosting a Public Meeting for the 500 Huntington Avenue project located in Mission Hill. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Project Notification Form and Planned Development Area Amendment. The meeting will include a presentation followed by Q&A and comments from the general public.

The Proposed Project involves (a) demolishing an existing parking lot, three small buildings, and an artificial turf athletic field and (b) constructing two new mixed-use buildings comprising approximately 640,000 square feet of life science, office, cultural, and retail/commercial uses along with below grade parking. How to Participate Regsiter in advance: bit.ly/3YSLNWX 

3. Tuesday, May 9 – Wentworth Institute of Technology 2023-2033 Institutional Master Plan Public Meeting, 6-8 p.m. virtual  The BPDA is hosting a virtual Public Meeting meeting for the proposed 2023-2033 Institutional Master Plan (“IMP”)  for Wentworth Institute of Technology, located in the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston. The purpose of the meeting is to provide an overview of the IMP and discuss the potential impacts and mitigation for the IMP. The meeting will include a presentation followed by questions and comments from the Public. To Participate, please register for the meeting using the following Zoom link:

bit.ly/3UhuaQ2

4. Saturday, May 13 – Annual Flower Share with FCA Members

We are thrilled to continue our longstanding partnership with Northeastern University. Current FCA members can sign up by April 24th: https://forms.gle/xrNZ6pYQkJ99RKoC9 

Flower Share Map with locations and times here

East Fenway: Fenway Center (68 St. Stephen Street) parking lot, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

West Fenway: Exterior of Fenway Victory Gardens (1200 Boylston Street), 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.

5. Sunday, May 14 – Annual Fenway Guided Bird Walk – with Nature Man Mike  -7:30 am. Meet at Meet at the Japanese Bell outside the Kelleher Rose Garden (by the footbridge across from the Museum of Fine Arts) Spend a few hours delighting in the array of spring birds gracing the Fenway. For all levels! Bring binocs for best view. Led by: Michael Bryant, aka Nature Man Mike, a professional photographer, instructor, nature lover, and host of bird walks, international bird photography tours and workshops. Through the world of birding, he’s worked with Franklin Park Coalition, Brookline Bird Club, Urban Nature Walk, Mass Audubon and more. www.NatureManMike.com www.instagram.com/naturemanmike 

www.facebook.com/naturemanmike (postcard below)

DEVELOPMENT LINKS – local projects in various stages:

INSTITUTIONAL MASTER PLANS

Wentworth Institute of Technology

DESIGN

Back Bay Fens Pathways  

REVIEW

Fenway Corners 

165 Park Drive 

409 Huntington Avenue

1400 Boylston Street (Fenway Star Market) 

2 Charlesgate West

APPROVED

Longwood Place 305 Brookline Avenue 

NOTICES

Red Sox… need to know when they’re in town? printable calendar

ELECTED OFFICIALS – OFFICE HOURS

Senator Will Brownsberger

Zoom Mondays – 4-5:30 p.m.

Schedule an individual 15-minute online Zoom appointment with Senator Brownsberger to discuss a legislative or individual state-related matter on Mondays between 4:00 and 5:30 p.m. Not sure who your legislator is? Visit: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

Kenzie Bok 

Call the councilor’s office at 617-635-4225 Mon-Fri, 9am – 5pm or online: https://www.boston.gov/departments/city-council/kenzie-bok

Maggie Van Scoy, Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services 

Friday, April 28^th 10-11 AM 

Coffee Hour, Pavement Coffee House, 1334 Boylston Street. 

Stop by with a question or to share a concern. You can reach Maggie by email at: margaret.vanscoy@boston.gov

ONGOING

Free First Thursdays – Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum 3-9 p.m.

Thursday May 4

registration required – RESERVE your free ticket online

https://www.gardnermuseum.org/experience/thursday-nights

Fenway Cares food distribution. Need food? Fenway Cares distributes fresh produce, grains, and more at Fenway Community Center and Symphony Community Park. Thanks to the generosity of the Massachusetts General Brigham Community Care Van, free blood pressure screenings and COVID-19 boosters and vaccines are offered at Symphony Park in April and May from 2-5 pm on Fenway Cares dates. For more information, visit: https://fenwaycommunitycenter.org/fenway-cares/. Repeats every-other Wednesday. Volunteers needed! https://forms.gle/mqo5YoxbmhcL9Ckm8

Next date: Wednesday, May 10 – 3:30 p.m. 

See you around!

FenwayCivic Association

Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhoodDear Members and Friends:

Read Full Post »

Dear Members and Friends:

Spring brings flowers to members. Have you renewed your 2023 membership? (Membership form below.) Members are invited to sign up for the Annual Flower Share by April 24th. We are thankful to our partner, Northeastern University for their long-standing engagement and their generosity. See details below.

And speaking of growth and change, on April 5th, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced that City Councilor Kenzie Bok will head Boston Housing Authority starting in May. Read about it here.

Join fellow Bostonians for Acts of Kindness, on a Day of Service on April 15th, and/or one of the local clean-ups! Everyone is welcome, the more the merrier.

The month ends with three Annual Meetings in-a-row to keep-you-in-the-know: MMOC, ENC, and FCDC, details below. 

For this and more, read on: 

THE WEEK AHEAD

1, Wednesday, April 12 – 3:30 p.m.  Fenway Cares food distribution. Need food? Fenway Cares distributes fresh produce, grains, and more at Fenway Community Center and Symphony Community Park. Thanks to the generosity of the Massachusetts General Brigham Community Care Van, free blood pressure screenings and COVID-19 boosters and vaccines are offered at Symphony Park in April and May from 2-5 pm on Fenway Cares dates. For more information, visit: https://fenwaycommunitycenter.org/fenway-cares/. Repeats every-other Wednesday. Volunteers needed! https://forms.gle/mqo5YoxbmhcL9Ckm8

2. Thursday, April 13th (to be confirmed) Back Bay Fens Pathways Design meeting #5: to focus on areas of Evans Way bridge, War Memorial, and the John Boyle O’Reilly monument plaza (zoom link pending). Agenda, date and time to be confirmed. Visit the project page to review the recorded meetings and see the improvements being considered. We’ll let you know when the next meeting is! https://www.boston.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/improvements-back-bay-fens-pathways

3. Saturday, April 15, Day of Volunteer Service and Acts of Kindness– One Boston Day honors those forever impacted on April 15, 2013 and recognizes the greatest strength of this City—our people,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. 4.15 day web link

ARTS EVENTS

KAJI ASO STUDIO announces its 2023 International Haiku Contest

Submissions and payments are due by April 15, 2023 More info: www.kajiasostudio.com  This event is supported in part by the Consulate General of Japan in Boston. 

SAVE THE DATES

1. Tuesday, April 18 Wentworth Task Force Meeting – 6-8 p.m.  (virtual)

The BPDA is hosting a virtual Task Force Meeting for the Proposed Institutional Master Plan filing for Wentworth Institute of Technology – this meeting will provide an overview of the IMP and discuss potential impacts and mitigation. This is a Task Force Meeting, but is a public meeting. To register, visit: bit.ly/40rRyMT

2. Saturday, April 22 Earth Day 2023 -2023 Muddy River Cleanup

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

The Muddy River Cleanup is a part of the Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup; this event takes place throughout the Charles River Watershed and builds on a national effort as part of American Rivers’ National River Cleanup® which, to date, has removed over 25 million pounds of trash from America’s waterways. Click here to register yourself, or a group.

3. Saturday, April 22, Love your block! To sign up for Love Your Block, the Office of Civic Organizing’s (OCO) neighborhood cleanup day, you can fill out this form and OCO will follow up with you directly. Fenway-Kenmore spring community cleanup is on Saturday, April 22. For tips about hosting a Love Your Block site, take a look at this guide.

4. Monday, April 24 Flower Share Sign-up Deadline, for current Members. Need to renew? Please do so this week, thank you! See membership info attached.

5. Tuesday, April 25 -6 p.m. Red Sox Neighborhood Meeting enter at 125 Overlook Street. More details to come.

6. Tuesday, April 25 – 6 – 8 p.m, Wentworth IAG meeting

The BPDA is hosting an Impact Advisory Group (IAG) Meeting for the 500 Huntington Avenue project located in Mission Hill. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Project Notification Form and Planned Development Area Amendment. The meeting will include a presentation followed by Q&A and comments from the general public. To register, visit: 

bit.ly/3ToN1YR

7. Wednesday April 26 – 6 – 8:30 p.m. Muddy River MMOC 2023 Public Meeting, at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. (in-person)

The Muddy River Restoration Project Maintenance and Management Oversight Committee (the MMOC) is a shining example of citizen advocacy in Brookline and Boston. You are invited to register to attend the in-person meeting here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-muddy-river-restoration-project-2023-annual-meeting-tickets-527343778437

8. Thursday, April 27 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm  Demystifying the Muddy: 2023 Annual Meeting of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy (virtual)

On Thursday, April 27, join the Emerald Necklace Conservancy for our 2023 Annual Meeting, all about the Muddy River—the central waterway of the Emerald Necklace linear park system—and the year of achievements that your support made possible! https://www.emeraldnecklace.org/events/annualmeeting/

9. Thursday, April 27 FCDC Annual meeting, 5:45-8:00 p.m., St Cecilia’s Church, 30 St. Cecilia Street

Celebrate Fenway CDC’s 50th Anniversary with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, our members, elected officials, and community partners. Register at Fenway CDC 50th Annual Meeting Tickets, Thu, Apr 27, 2023 at 5:45 PM | Eventbrite

10. Saturday, May 13 – Annual Flower Share with FCA Members
We are thrilled to continue our longstanding tradition of partnership with Northeastern University to bring flowers to the Fenway. We will be in both the East and West Fens to better accommodate everyone. Please sign up by April 24th to ensure your flowers will be ready!

Sign up form at: https://forms.gle/xrNZ6pYQkJ99RKoC9 

Date: May 13, 2023

Details: Map with locations and times here

East Fenway: Fenway Center (68 St. Stephen Street) parking lot, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

West Fenway: Exterior of Fenway Victory Gardens (1200 Boylston Street), 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.

NOTICES

Monday, April 17th -The 127th Boston Marathon
Featuring nearly 30,000 athletes from more than 100 countries.

For route and other details, click here. Be aware, there will be street closures on Monday, as well as events before and after and many traffic disruptions. And don’t be surprised if you see people wrapped in foil, they’ve just run the course!

Red Sox season is on… need to know when they’re in town?

Click here for a Red Sox printable calendar

The Boston Tax Help Coalition is providing free tax preparation services to residents making $60,000 or less a year. Taxes due April 18th.

OFFICE HOURS

Senator Will Brownsberger

Zoom Mondays – 4-5:30 p.m.

Schedule an individual 15-minute online Zoom appointment with Senator Brownsberger to discuss a legislative or individual state-related matter on Mondays between 4:00 and 5:30 p.m. Not sure who your legislator is? Visit: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

Kenzie Bok 

Call the councilor’s office at 617-635-4225 Mon-Fri, 9am – 5pm or online: https://www.boston.gov/departments/city-council/kenzie-bok

Maggie Van Scoy, Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services 

Friday, April 28^th 10-11 AM 

Coffee Hour, Pavement Coffee House, 1334 Boylston Street. 

Stop by with a question or to share a concern. You can reach Maggie by email at: margaret.vanscoy@boston.gov

ONGOING

Fenway Cares – Food Distribution

Wednesday, April 26 – 3:30 p.m.  Need food? Fenway Cares distributes fresh produce, grains, and more at Fenway Community Center and Symphony Community Park. For more information, visit: https://fenwaycommunitycenter.org/fenway-cares/. Repeats every-other Wednesday. volunteers needed! https://forms.gle/mqo5YoxbmhcL9Ckm8

See you around!

FenwayCivic Association

Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhood

Read Full Post »

Dear Members and Friends:

April showers bring May flowers…enjoy the beauty of spring in the Fenway.

Last Tuesday, the Boston Zoning Commission voted to pass the Longwood Place proposal and Map Amendment, with the objection of Mike Nichols. This vote runs contrary to the objections raised by thousands of residents objecting to the lack of protection from shadows on neighboring parklands. There will be much work ahead to protect the fragile Emerald Necklace parklands as this project unfolds over the years ahead.

Just one meeting on the books this Tuesday, Boston Civic Design Commission discusses public realm impacts of major projects including a few in the Fenway. Some fascinating local arts events this week, and a nice time to visit the parks.

At the FCA, we’ve been reviewing licensing requests for a crop of new restaurants, arranging funding for this year’s concerts and activities, coordinating with our civic partners on events, and keeping an eye on the many developments in the BPDAs purview.

For upcoming meetings and more, see below:

1. Tuesday, April 4  5 – 7 p.m. Boston Civic Design Commission (BCDC) Monthly Meeting, including Life Sciences building guidelines, and the developments: 409 Huntington Avenue, and Fenway Corners. 

The BCDC meeting is to discuss the public realm impacts of major projects currently being reviewed by the BPDA. Commission meetings are open to the public. To view the agenda, get log-in link, and view approximate times per topic visit:  http://www.bostonplans.org/news-calendar/calendar/2023/04/04/boston-civic-design-commission-meeting 

FREE ARTS EVENTS

Thursday, April 6  3-9 p.m. Free First Thursdays – Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum  Registration required – RESERVE your free ticket online https://www.gardnermuseum.org/experience/thursday-nights

Saturday, April 8th  10 a.m – 2 p.m. Fenway Augmented Workshop Northeastern Crossing, 1175 Tremont Street, Boston. Calling all Fenway Residents! [ bitsandflow ] is hosting a creative space to talk about Fenway places, and how augmented reality technology can enhance or reimagine our public spaces. It’s their first in-person gathering since the pandemic. Starts at 10 am, bring in lunch at noon – then play around with the AR app on available mini-iPads. For info email: bitsandflow@gmail.com (see attached flyer)

Sunday, April 9th at 2:00pm CONCERT at KAJI ASO STUDIO

Spring Concert: SUMIE KANEKO, koto and shamisen. This event is free. Complete info at: www.kajiasostudio.com

RSVP administrator@kajiasostudio.com

KAJI ASO STUDIO announces its 2023 International Haiku Contest

Submissions and payments are due by April 15, 2023 More info: www.kajiasostudio.com  This event is supported in part by the Consulate General of Japan in Boston. 

SAVE THE DATES

1. Thursday, April 13th (to be confirmed) Back Bay Fens Pathways Design meeting #5: to focus on areas of Evans Way bridge and the John Boyle O’Reilly monument. Agenda, date and time to be confirmed. Visit the project page to review the recorded meetings and see the improvements being considered. We’ll let you know when the next meeting is! https://www.boston.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/improvements-back-bay-fens-pathways

2. Saturday, April 15, Day of Volunteer Service and Acts of Kindness– One Boston Day honors those forever impacted on April 15, 2013 and recognizes the greatest strength of this City—our people,” said Mayor Michelle Wu.

3. Saturday, April 22 Earth Day 2023 -2023 Muddy River Cleanup

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

The Muddy River Cleanup is a part of the Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup; this event takes place throughout the Charles River Watershed and builds on a national effort as part of American Rivers’ National River Cleanup® which, to date, has removed over 25 million pounds of trash from America’s waterways. Click here to register yourself, or a group.

4. Wednesday April 26 – 6 – 8:30 p.m. Muddy River MMOC 2023 Public Meeting, at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. 

The Muddy River Restoration Project Maintenance and Management Oversight Committee (the MMOC) is a shining example of citizen advocacy in Brookline and Boston. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-muddy-river-restoration-project-2023-annual-meeting-tickets-527343778437

5. Thursday, April 27 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm  Demystifying the Muddy: 2023 Annual Meeting of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy

On Thursday, April 27, join the Emerald Necklace Conservancy for our 2023 Annual Meeting, all about the Muddy River—the central waterway of the Emerald Necklace linear park system—and the year of achievements that your support made possible! https://www.emeraldnecklace.org/events/annualmeeting/

NOTICES

Red Sox season has begun!

Click here to see the Red Sox schedule, printable calendar

The Boston Tax Help Coalition is providing free tax preparation services to residents making $60,000 or less a year 

OFFICE HOURS

Senator Will Brownsberger

Zoom Mondays – 4-5:30 p.m.

Schedule an individual 15-minute online Zoom appointment with Senator Brownsberger to discuss a legislative or individual state-related matter on Mondays between 4:00 and 5:30 p.m. Not sure who your legislator is? Visit: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

Kenzie Bok 

Virtual office hours 

Maggie Van Scoy, Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services 

Friday, April 28^th 10-11 AM 

Coffee Hour, Pavement Coffee House, 1334 Boylston Street. 

Stop by with a question or to share a concern. You can reach Maggie by email at: margaret.vanscoy@boston.gov

ONGOING

Fenway Cares – Food Distribution

Wednesday, April 12 – 3:30 p.m.  Need food? Fenway Cares distributes fresh produce, grains, and more at Fenway Community Center and Symphony Community Park. For more information, visit: https://fenwaycommunitycenter.org/fenway-cares/. Repeats every-other Wednesday. volunteers needed! https://forms.gle/mqo5YoxbmhcL9Ckm8

See you around!

FenwayCivic Association

Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhood

Read Full Post »